Chapter 52

The next day, when I arrived at the branch office, three people were already at their desks.

"Zig, what are we doing today? You said yesterday that we would all make Wednesday stones."

As I sat down, Erika asked.

"I think we'll do it outside today."

"Outside?"

"Yeah. Even if we fail with the Wednesday stone, it won't explode like the Tuesday stone, but water will spurt out and everything will get wet. It wouldn't be good indoors."

Cleaning up would be a hassle, and with so many documents and books here, it's absolutely not a good idea.

"Indeed, that would be unpleasant... Wait, are we going to get soaked?"

"That depends on your skills. Well, it's not a cold season, and our homes are nearby, so it should be fine. So, we'll do it in front of the dormitory."

Saying that, I stood up, and the three girls, exchanging glances, also stood up. We went down to the first floor, and as we left the branch office, we set up a sign at the entrance that read, "Please come to the back if you need anything."

"Still, we need a receptionist, don't we?"

"I've been to a few branch offices, but this is the first time I've seen one without a receptionist."

"We're responding to calls now, but it's a bit lonely without a receptionist, isn't it?"

The three girls sighed as they looked at the sign.

"How about one of you sit there? Adel is experienced, and Erika and Leonora are gentle, so you can do it."

I can't do it.

"I don't want to..."

"I never want to do it again."

"Besides, while everyone else is working upstairs, it would be lonely to work alone down there."

Hmm... Should I hire someone from somewhere?

It's not like a receptionist needs special skills.

Maybe I'll talk to the branch manager when he comes back.

"Well, it's fine. Let's go to the back."

We passed through the narrow path next to the branch office and arrived at a square between two apartment buildings.

"Are we doing it here?"

Erika asked.

"This place isn't on the street, and there's no pedestrian traffic. As I said earlier, if we fail with the Wednesday stone, it will get wet with water. It might look like we're playing in the water, and people might think we're slacking off. Plus, our rooms are right in front of us, so we can change quickly if we need to."

"I see..."

"That's why I'll teach you how to make it."

Saying that, I took out a wooden box full of magic stones and placed it on the ground.

"Is it just a matter of enchanting the water attribute to the magic stone?"

Adel confirmed. This is something you learn in magic school.

"Right. Similarly, the Tuesday stone is made by enchanting the fire attribute to the magic stone. The process is that simple, and the explanation is very easy."

"Easy to say, hard to do... Enchanting is a very advanced skill. You made magic swords so easily."

As Leonora said, enchanting is considered very difficult.

"This is the wall at level 6. I once told Adel that anyone, no matter how stupid, can become a level 7 with effort, but conversely, it means that level 7 is the limit of what can be achieved with effort. This enchanting is the wall. Those who can do it have talent, and those who can't don't. The reason the alchemist's qualification necklace changes from copper to silver at level 6 is because of this. Levels 8 and 7 are not much different, but there's a big wall between levels 7 and 6."

Similarly, there's a wall between levels 4 and 3, where the necklace changes from silver to gold. I didn't feel this wall at all.

"Can we do it?"

"I'm starting to feel anxious..."

"If we can't do it, we'll be branded as untalented..."

The three girls' spirits visibly dropped.

Did I say something wrong?

But this is the truth, and I can't afford to have them stop here.

"From what I can see, you don't seem like the type to stumble at this point. You passed the 10th or 9th level at your age, so you definitely have talent."

Those who can't pass the 10th level can't get the qualification even after turning 30. Passing it in your early 20s is quite early.

I (omitted)

"Is that so?"

"Zig, did you not stumble with enchanting?"

Leonora asked.

"There's no way I would stumble."

"Yeah... You're so cool, it's blinding."

I find your kindness blinding.

"Well, to be honest, I don't think it's a big wall. But that's because I'm also a magician and am good at enchanting."

Magicians enchant swords or arrows. So, enchanting is originally the domain of magicians, and it's very difficult for alchemists, who are production-oriented mages, to do this.

"By the way, you're a level 5 magician... I think it's impressive that you can do both. Moreover, you were the top student for three years in both fields at school."

Being the top student at magic school doesn't matter to me.

I should be the best magician in the world, so being the top in such a small world is only natural.

"It's the result of hard work. The daily studies paid off."

Well, for Adel's sake, I'll say it this way.

"Zig's lies are so obvious, aren't they?"

"You definitely think it's natural."

"Well, you did seem to not care about your classmates."

I'm starting to feel like I don't need to choose my words with these guys...

"It's fine that you haven't even reached level 10. I got to level 5 during my studies, which is above the teachers. It would be strange if I wasn't number one."

The teachers must have found it difficult to deal with me, and they probably didn't like me.

"Level 5!? Zig, you're really amazing."

"That means you think everyone else is incompetent. In your standards, everyone is incompetent."

"I don't even feel jealous anymore."

I think your personalities are amazing.

"Well, it doesn't matter about me. The point is that enchanting is a wall, but I'll teach you. Once you can do this, level 6 will be within reach. Once you reach level 6, you'll be in high demand."

There are level 3s who have been rejected by all teams, but these three should be fine.

"I prefer Riet."

"Me too."

"Well, it's a good town. There's a lot of nature, and it's lively. I think it's a great place to live."

These guys aren't interested in advancement...

Well, Erika is strongly attached to her hometown, and Leonora and Adel are nobles, so they don't have to worry about their lives and want to do what they like.

In short, they have clear things they want to do, which is more important than advancement.

I feel a bit envious.

Thank you for reading.

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